Pricey and lavish celebrity gowns of legendary status: Ranging from astounding auction prices to captivating red carpet moments
In the world of high-end fashion, celebrity dresses have become more than just clothing items; they are works of art, often carrying hefty price tags that reflect their intricate designs, historical significance, and cultural impact. Here are some of the most expensive celebrity dresses ever created, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship and extravagant materials involved.
Queen Letizia of Spain's wedding dress, designed by Manuel Pertegaz, tops the list with an estimated worth of around $10.7 million. The dress features a four-and-a-half-meter-long train and embroidery made with real gold thread, making it one of the most valuable dresses in the world.
Another iconic dress is Marilyn Monroe's Seven Year Itch dress, designed by William Travilla. This dress, worn in the movie of the same name, was sold at an auction in 2011 for $4.6 million.
Cate Blanchett's 2014 Oscars gown, designed by Armani Prive, is often cited among expensive red carpet looks, typically valued in the hundreds of thousands. Beyoncé's 2016 Met Gala dress, designed by Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy, is valued due to the individual pearls on the gown, each costing approximately $8000.
Princess Diana's wedding dress, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, was valued at a minimum of £150,000 (approx. $203,500). The dress featured ivory silk, pearls, sequins, and antique lace, and had a 25-foot train.
Kate Middleton's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, was estimated to be worth around £250,000 (approx. $339,100). Meghan Markle's wedding dress, designed by Givenchy, was estimated to cost £110,000 (approx. $149,200).
Lupita Nyong'o's 2015 Oscars dress, made with over 6,000 pearls, was reported to be worth $150,000 (approx. $110,000). Jennifer Lawrence's Oscar dress, designed by Raf Simmons for Christian Dior Haute Couture, is widely reported to be worth $4M (approx. £2.9M).
Blake Lively's 2022 Met Gala dress, designed by Atelier Versace, is thought to have a hefty price tag due to the 600 hours of work and materials used. Kim Kardashian wore Marilyn Monroe's 'Happy Birthday' Dress to the 2022 Met Gala, which sold for $4.8M (approx. $3.5M) in 2016.
Paris Hilton's Hollywood Beauty Awards dress, designed by August Getty, was worth a reported $270,000 (approx. $198,000). Janelle Monae's 2020 Academy Awards dress, custom-made by Ralph Lauren, was embellished with over 160,000 Swarovski crystals.
Cardi B's Met Gala gown, designed by Thom Browne, included 30,000 feathers and a breastplate with 44 carats of rubies valued at $250,000 (approx. $183,000). Rihanna's 2015 Met Gala dress, designed by Guo Pei, is estimated to start at $3M (approx. $2.1M) due to the extensive hand embroidery.
Princess Eugenie's wedding dress, designed by Peter Pilotto and Christopher de Vos, was valued at £200,000 (approx. $271,400). A floral day dress worn by Princess Diana, often referred to as the 'Caring dress', sold for $400,000 (approx. $291,000) in a 2025 auction.
Marie-Chantal, the Crown Princess of Greece's wedding dress, designed by Valentino, was reportedly worth an estimated $225,000 (approx. $165,000). Princess Diana's 'Travolta' dress, designed by Victor Edelstein, sold at auction for £264,000 (approx. $358,225).
In 2002, Kate Middleton's charity fashion show dress, designed by Charlotte Todd, sold for £78,000 (approx. $105,800) in a 2011 auction. Grace Kelly's White House dress, designed by Givenchy, was sold at a Sotheby's auction in New York for $135,000 (approx. $99,000).
The most expensive Paco Rabanne dress ever sold, a piece from the 1967 Armour dress collection, sold for $112,100 (approx. $82,000) in April 2024. Charlotte Rampling's Armani Prive gown cost an estimated $125,000 (approx. $92,000), featuring a luxe silk jacquard base material and multi-colored, genuine Swarovski crystals.
Judy Garland's gingham dress from The Wizard of Oz sold for $750,000 (approx. $550,000) at a 2019 auction. Mariah Carey's $250,000 (approx. $184,300) Valentino gown was allegedly set on fire in a music video.
These figures highlight the significant financial investment in creating and acquiring these extraordinary dresses, often reflecting not only the craftsmanship but also their cultural and historical significance.
- The most expensive celebrity dress ever created, Queen Letizia of Spain's wedding dress, features a train four-and-a-half meters long and embroidery made with real gold thread, valued at around $10.7 million, placing it among the most valuable dresses worldwide.
- Marilyn Monroe's Seven Year Itch dress, designed by William Travilla, carried historical significance as it was worn in the movie of the same name and was sold at an auction in 2011 for $4.6 million.
- Lifestyle enthusiasts may appreciate Rihanna's 2015 Met Gala dress, designed by Guo Pei, estimated to start at $3M due to the extensive hand embroidery, demonstrating the intricate craftsmanship and materials involved in creating such luxurious dresses.
- Fashion-and-beauty aficionados might find interest in Janelle Monae's 2020 Academy Awards dress, custom-made by Ralph Lauren, embellished with over 160,000 Swarovski crystals, showcasing the beauty and elegance of high-end fashion.
- In pop-culture, celebrities like Cardi B have donned extravagant dresses, like her Met Gala gown designed by Thom Browne, containing 30,000 feathers and a breastplate with 44 carats of rubies valued at $250,000, reflecting the impact of fashion on entertainment and cultural trends.
